For over two decades, the allure of New York City has drawn me back time and again, with Rockefeller Center consistently serving as a central point of my explorations. Even in my early days in the city, working in the 1271 Avenue of the Americas building back in 2003, I was captivated by the intricate network of underground passageways beneath this iconic landmark. Later, my job near Radio City Music Hall for four years further solidified my connection, with daily lunch breaks spent exploring the subterranean eateries. More recently, the sidewalks of Rockefeller Center have even played host to my overnight vigils in pursuit of Saturday Night Live standby tickets. “The Rock Nyc,” as it’s affectionately known, has become more than just a location; it’s a place of personal history and deep familiarity.
Within this expansive 22-acre complex, nestled between Fifth and Sixth Avenues and 49th and 51st Streets, lies an attraction that redefines the New York skyline experience. In 2005, Top of the Rock unveiled its rebranded observation decks, whisking visitors up in a mere 45 seconds to open-air platforms on the 67th, 69th, and 70th floors. Perched in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, it offered a fresh perspective on a city I thought I knew so well.
As someone captivated by heights and panoramic vistas, I eagerly ascended to Top of the Rock for a private event in 2008. New York City boasts a collection of breathtaking viewpoints, including the iconic Empire State Building and the towering One World Observatory. More recently, additions like Edge NYC (opened in 2020) and Summit One Vanderbilt (2021) have further enriched the city’s skyline viewing options. Despite my appreciation for these elevated perspectives, I hadn’t felt a pressing need to revisit Top of the Rock, assuming I had already absorbed its essence.
However, Top of the Rock recently unveiled a compelling reason for a return visit: Skylift. This novel attraction, launched in October 2024, elevates the viewing experience, quite literally. Ascending 30 feet above the rooftop from the 70th floor, this open-air circular platform slowly rotates 360 degrees, delivering an unobstructed panoramic spectacle. I was fortunate to experience a preview ride just before its public debut on October 1st.
Stepping onto the 69th-floor outdoor deck, I paused, immediately struck by the quintessential New York moment unfolding before me. While other observation decks might claim greater altitude or sleeker designs, the vantage point from 50th Street at “the rock nyc” felt uniquely central. Positioned squarely between the Hudson and East Rivers, the view stretched from the Statue of Liberty to the south up to the Bronx in the north. It was a powerful reminder of Manhattan’s geographical drama.
Ascending to the 70th floor, I was surprised by Skylift’s understated presence. Initially, it appeared as a simple, transparent fiberglass cylinder nestled on the rooftop. Yet, as a guide opened the entrance and I stepped inside, choosing a spot along the perimeter, the experience transformed. Without any noticeable movement, the platform began to rise, so smoothly that the ascent was initially imperceptible. My focus was entirely consumed by the unfolding cityscape. Instinctively, I began to turn, attempting to capture every angle. But then, the platform itself began to rotate. There was no need for effort; Skylift was designed to present the city in its full glory, requiring only my gaze to absorb it.
I felt suspended amidst New York’s most iconic landmarks. Looking north, Central Park unfolded like an expansive green carpet. As Skylift rotated counterclockwise, familiar skyscrapers around Columbus Circle and Times Square, previously known only from street level, took on new forms, their heights now aligned with my own. Then, as the platform turned south, the Empire State Building emerged as the undisputed centerpiece. From this vantage point, 900 feet in the air, I imagined a King Kong perched atop the tower would find himself at eye level with Skylift’s occupants, provided he paused to appreciate the view. This is how deeply immersed in the city Skylift makes you feel.
While other observation points offer views of the skyline, here, at “the rock nyc,” I felt integrated within it. Skylift seamlessly blends with 30 Rockefeller Plaza’s Art Deco architecture, a hallmark since its 1933 inception, yet introduces a contemporary flair with 96 LED pixel flutes. These lights, emanating from the base, can illuminate the sky with vibrant colors. Adding to the ambiance, a central speaker on the platform plays music, and a camera captures panoramic photos, creating a multi-sensory experience.
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An aerial perspective showcases a couple enjoying the Top of the Rock Skylift experience at Rockefeller Center in NYC.
But the surprises didn’t end there. Midway through the three-and-a-half-minute rotation, our guide prompted us to look down. Suddenly, the frosted glass floor beneath our feet turned transparent. Definitely not for the faint of heart, this feature added an unexpected adrenaline surge to the sensation of floating above the city – precisely the intended effect.
“We really wanted to create a special experience that took advantage of our outdoor space, that made you really continue to feel the wind in your hair and the sights and sounds of New York around you, but to do it in a way that created a moment that was a little bit thrilling, a little bit breathtaking,” explained EB Kelly, Senior Managing Director at Tishman Speyer and Head of Rockefeller Center, from the 69th floor.
This thrilling sensation is intentionally linked to Rockefeller Center’s rich history. “The rotating floor of the Skylift evokes the iconic rotating dance floor of the Rainbow Room just below us, and the joyous experience of twirling on The Rink downstairs in the winter,” Kelly added, emphasizing the aim to inject a “whimsical moment” into the visitor experience.
This deep connection to Rockefeller Center’s nearly century-long legacy truly distinguishes this attraction. Adding another layer of historical immersion, visitors can recreate the iconic “Lunch Atop a Skyscraper” photograph. This famous image of 11 ironworkers perched precariously on a beam 850 feet in the air was captured during the construction of the 69th floor of the RCA Building, part of the Rockefeller Center complex. Now, on the same floor, The Beam allows visitors to pose atop a secure beam for a similar photo, complete with playful props like hammers, wrenches, doughnuts, and apples.
Further enriching the historical narrative, The Weather Room eatery on the 67th floor pays homage to a Doppler radar once situated on the 70th floor, from which weather forecasts were determined.
The Beam and The Weather Room both debuted in 2023, alongside a new welcome gallery that opened last summer. Skylift represents the final element in Top of the Rock’s comprehensive modernization. This revitalization is part of a broader effort across Rockefeller Center to reinvent itself with thoughtfully curated, contemporary retail experiences. This includes stores like Rough Trade, McNally Jackson Books. N.Peal, Todd Snyder, and The Shops at NBC Studios, as well as diverse dining options such as Pebble Bar, Smith & Mills, Lodi, Jupiter, Le Rock, NARO, and 5 Acres.
Admission to Top of the Rock ranges from $40 to $61 for adults (13+), $34 to $55 for children (6-12), and $38 to $59 for seniors (65+). The Beam experience is available as a $25 add-on, and Skylift adds $35 per person. A VIP Pass, granting private access to both The Beam and Skylift, starts at $190.
“Rockefeller Center is a place imbued with history and authenticity,” Kelly concluded. “To truly experience the essence of New York, to connect with both its 90-year legacy and its vibrant present, a visit to Rockefeller Center is essential. It’s here that you can hear its story and become a part of its ongoing history.”
